Volume 9, No. 1 , Spring 2007

Some things never change, some things do. Today (April 4, 2007) news reports feature the University of Tennessee Lady Vols and coach Pat Summitt as NCAA champions. But what do I wake up to? The local DJ references the ESPN story, “She has won more games than any coach in college basketball history, and more NCAA titles than any women’s coach, period… Summitt’s 880th victory surpassed former North Carolina men’s coach Dean Smith for most Division I career wins.” And he says (the infamous, unnamed) “they” are questioning if she would do as well coaching a men’s basketball team. I say, give her the chance, but then she’d be under the magnifying glass as any woman in a “first” situation would be. But, no doubt, up to the task.

SELAM International is evolving as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.  See President Chris Abrass’s letter describing the change in Board structure, bylaws, and strategic plan. These are further described in the Board Retreat Summary and Mission Statement. I’m excited to be a part of “Creating the belief that you can…so that you will.”

Our Associate Editor, Leilani Doty, describes the impact of more medical schools – more opportunities for the under-represented in academic medicine. In another article, she talks about how we can renew trust in regular (allopathic) medicine and research, as she describes a sad chapter in medical history. Leilani also reminds us of Maya Angelou’s wisdom.

Molly Carnes spearheaded this year’s report of the first session of the current ELAM Class. Alice Speer is creating more time to read, and shares her thoughts on The Girl’s Guide to Being a Boss (Without Being a Bitch): Valuable Lessons, Smart Suggestions, and True Stories For Succeeding as the Chick-in-Charge. I reminded Alice and Leilani of one definition of bitch that I heard on a CD by Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women:

Being
In
Total
Control of
Herself

Although, being in the midst of change myself, I work to control myself. The next issue of SELAM International News will be born as I assume a new position in the Department of Medicine/Rheumatology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, effective June 1, 2007. I look forward to being in Dean Sharon Turner Land (and soon-to-be former Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Karen West, as she heads off to Nevada to be Dean). And with that issue, Alice will join us as Associate Editor. So let’s toast the change of growth! (BTW, I will work on the newsletter as I gaze eastward over my six-acre lot where, as soon as the storage building is adapted and fencing installed, my horse will graze on “blue grass.”)

In Change We Trust
Kris Lohr
Editor

© SELAM International

Communications Committee
SELAM International
April 17, 2007

Members: Wendy Weinstock Brown (Chair), Leilani Doty (Associate Editor), Kris Lohr (Chair & Editor), Roz Richman

Newsletter:

• Transition to fully web-based publication accomplished
• Three issues per academic year, maintained on the SELAM website
• Addition of Alice Speer as Associate Editor for the upcoming academic year
• Issues to be addressed: investigate alternative way to publish the newsletter online, since the current process takes a significant amount of Tori Odhner’s time. Conference call TBA (Editor is in the process of moving from one state university to another).

Finances:

• Cost is that of “labor” and included in Tori Odhner’s salary component for SELAM International work.
• No publication costs since the newsletter is 100% web-based and maintained on the SELAM website

Kristine M. Lohr, M.D.